Landmark Supreme Court Cases

The Plessy v. Ferguson case in 1896 upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities as long as the segregated facilities were equal in quality. This decision established the "separate but equal" doctrine, which was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

The Gitlow v. New York case in 1925 was the first Supreme Court case to directly address the issue of freedom of speech under the First Amendment. The Court ruled that the First Amendment protects the right to express unpopular or controversial ideas, even if those ideas are considered dangerous or harmful by the government.

The Gideon v. Wainwright case in 1963 established the right to an attorney for criminal defendants who cannot afford one. The Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of the right to counsel applies to all criminal prosecutions, regardless of the severity of the offense.

The Mapp v. Ohio case in 1961 extended the Fourth Amendment's exclusionary rule to state courts. The Court ruled that evidence obtained through an unreasonable search or seizure cannot be used in a criminal trial, even if the evidence is relevant and reliable.

The Griswold v. Connecticut case in 1965 established the right to privacy in matters of marriage and contraception. The Court ruled that the Constitution protects the right of married couples to use contraception without government interference.

The Furman v. Georgia case in 1972 temporarily struck down the death penalty in the United States. The Court ruled that the death penalty, as it was then applied, was cruel and unusual punishment because it was imposed in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner.

The In re Winship case in 1970 established the right to a fair trial for juveniles. The Court ruled that juveniles have the same due process rights as adults, including the right to a trial by jury and the right to confront witnesses.

The Loving v. Virginia case in 1967 struck down all state laws that prohibited interracial marriage. The Court ruled that these laws violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The Obergefell v. Hodges case in 2015 established the right to same-sex marriage nationwide. The Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause guarantee the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The Reed v. Reed case in 1971 was the first Supreme Court case to hold that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits discrimination based on sex. The Court ruled that a state law that gave preference to men over women in the administration of estates was unconstitutional.

The Barker v. Wingo case in 1972 established a four-factor test for determining whether a criminal defendant's right to a speedy trial has been violated. The factors include the length of the delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant's assertion of the right to a speedy trial, and the prejudice to the defendant caused by the delay.

The Engel v. Vitale case in 1962 struck down a state law that required public schools to recite a prayer written by the state board of education. The Court ruled that this law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Duncan v. Louisiana case in 1968 established the right to a jury trial in criminal cases for all offenses punishable by more than six months in prison. The Court ruled that this right is fundamental to the American criminal justice system.

The Olmstead v. L.C. case in 1999 ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires states to provide community-based services to people with disabilities, rather than institutionalizing them in nursing homes or other segregated settings.